Alters Studio Defends AI Use: ‘Temporary and Limited’
▼ Summary
– 11 Bit Studios addressed criticism about AI-generated assets in *The Alters*, stating they were temporary placeholders or used minimally and not intended for the final release.
– The studio faced backlash for undisclosed AI usage, including AI-generated text in a background display and poor-quality translations, violating Valve’s Steam disclosure rules.
– 11 Bit admitted some AI elements were mistakenly left in the game due to internal oversights but emphasized their commitment to handcrafted storytelling.
– The controversial translations were limited to externally produced movie assets, with AI used due to time constraints, but the studio is now updating them professionally.
– 11 Bit did not explain its failure to disclose AI usage on Steam but pledged to improve transparency as AI tools become more prevalent in game development.
strong 11 Bit Studios has addressed growing concerns about AI-generated content in their upcoming sci-fi title The Alters, clarifying that its use was either temporary or extremely limited. The studio, known for critically acclaimed games like Frostpunk and This War of Mine, faced backlash after players uncovered undisclosed AI elements in the game’s early build.
Social media discussions highlighted several questionable inclusions, such as a background display featuring an AI-generated “Captain’s Log” with the telltale phrase, “Sure, here’s a revised version focusing purely on scientific and astronomical data.” More glaring issues surfaced in localized subtitles, where Portuguese translations began with, “Sure! Here is the translated text into Brazilian Portuguese.” These discoveries sparked criticism, especially since 11 Bit failed to disclose AI usage on Steam as required by Valve’s policies.
In response, the studio issued a statement explaining that AI-generated assets were only placeholders during development and never meant for the final release. “One graphical designer used AI text as a temporary background texture, but due to an oversight, it remained in the build,” the team admitted. “This was an isolated incident, and we’re correcting it.” They emphasized their commitment to handcrafted storytelling, sharing screenshots to demonstrate the minimal impact on gameplay.
Regarding the poorly translated subtitles, 11 Bit attributed them to last-minute localization for licensed films within the game’s social hub. Facing tight deadlines, the team opted for AI translations on roughly 0.3% of in-game text rather than delaying non-English versions. “We planned to refine these post-launch with professional translators,” they clarified, acknowledging the decision as a misstep. “We should have been transparent from the start.”
While the studio pledged to improve internal processes, it did not explain why it ignored Valve’s AI disclosure mandate. The statement concluded by recognizing AI’s growing role in game development while reaffirming a dedication to transparency.
This controversy mirrors recent industry debates, with Jurassic World Evolution 3 removing AI-generated scientist portraits after fan complaints and Microsoft facing scrutiny for AI-assisted Quake 2 demos. As AI tools become more prevalent, studios must balance efficiency with player trust, a challenge 11 Bit is now navigating publicly.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
